|  Thirteen
Moons Gallery Opening
Opening night, June 20, through July 14, 2003 Mary Zicafoose
showcased her latest works at the Thirteen Moons Gallery in Santa Fe,
New Mexico.
The show, titled "Wildfire" and consisting of
flame-themed tapestries, featured twelve new works by Zicafoose.
 Thirteen
Moons, the preeminent textiles gallery in the US, hosted an opening night
reception and gallery talk. Collectors from around the country attended
the event and listened as Zicafoose discussed her latest endeavor.
An accomplished weaver known for her Ikat and slit tapestry;
in the Santa Fe show she has highlighted her work with the later medium.
Clean lines and modern geometry that looks toward mid-century minimalism
gives the compositions a feeling of controlled artistry. Each piece is
a cogent expression of the incendiary theme, but without being repetitive
or rote.
 In
published remarks on her work, Zicafoose always emphasizes color and palette,
and at-a-glance it is clear that the philosophy has held. The colors are
simple and floral, organic without being "earthy." Three works
in the show, Prairie Fire, Night Fire and Spring
Burn rhapsodize the possibilities of purple. Others bear the signature
yellows and reds that have become so closely associated with Zicafoose'
work.
 Each
of the pieces seems to fall into one of four families or periods defined
by both their palettes and composition elements. The above mentioned purple
rhapsodies create a sense of vertical motion and somber mood. Shining
Embers and New Fire: Triple Helix have more of a horizontal
motion and share similar mid-autumn palettes of brilliant oranges and
yellows and calm shades of purple.
 Juxtaposed
elements of hard lined modern construction and errant motion define the
pieces Wildfire, Barn Burning, Twin Flame and
the Sound of Fire. Each resists being a parody of the other.
Wildfire gapes at the viewer with a menacing void. Twin Flame attempts
to be demonstrative, even cautioning -- a discarded symbol of civil defense.
The last family of Wind Fire, Cross Fire
and Fire with Stripes seems, to Zicafoose collectors, the most
familiar. These take the symmetry and palette of previous works in a new
direction. These pieces feel like they were the beginning of the series
the fulcrum that gives force to the other nine works.
In all, Wildfire is a complete body of work, powerful
in its deliberate focus. Zicafoose has worked the theme like a highly
diciplined jazz soloist, moving the concept through modal variants without
spiraling into the self indulgent. The result is crisp and fresh; a calculated
daring. A fine example of craft and spirit.
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